Brad Keselowski ends 3-year drought with win at Darlington - ESPN

DARLINGTON, S.C. — There were so many special parts of Brad Keselowski's first NASCAR victory in three years, it was difficult for him to say what meant the most.

It was the 36th of his career and his second at Darlington Raceway, which he reveres as an ultimate test of drivers. It came in front of his young family with daughters Scarlett, who'll turn 9 later this month, and 4-year-old Autumn joining him on the podium.

And it was his first since leaving the Penske organization to become co-owner at Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing in 2022.

«There's a lot of things to be excited about, don't know which one means the most,» Keselowski said with a smile.

He moved to the front when leaders Chris Buescher and Tyler Reddick hit battling for first with nine laps left, and he held on to win the Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway on Sunday.

«Hell of an effort by everyone,» Keselowski said after crossing the finish line.

It appeared Buescher, an employee of Keselowski at RFK, would get the win after he passed his boss and Reddick with 29 laps to go. But Buescher and Reddick then hit and fell back, opening the door for Keselowski's satisfying victory.

«What a heck of a day,» he said. «That battle out there with my teammate and Tyler Reddick, we just laid it all on the line.»

Keselowski acknowledged the risk he took when he left Penske. Fans got on him when Austin Cindric won the 2022 Daytona 500, saying it could have been him, and when Penske drivers Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney won the past two NASCAR Cup Series crowns.

But Keselowski could not be happier with his choice and the direction RFK is headed.

«I think you guys know, I'm going to do things my own way,» he said.

Ty Gibbs was second, Josh Berry third and Denny Hamlin fourth.